Colgate 26

Colgate 26

Development
Designer	Jim Taylor
Location	United States
Year	1996
No. built	375
Builder(s)	Precision Boat Works Waterline Systems
Role	Racer
Name	Colgate 26
Boat
Displacement	2,600 lb (1,179 kg)
Draft	4.50 ft (1.37 m)
Hull
Type	monohull
Construction	fiberglass
LOA	25.67 ft (7.82 m)
LWL	20.00 ft (6.10 m)
Beam	8.50 ft (2.59 m)
Engine type	outboard motor
Hull appendages
Keel/board type	fin keel with weighted bulb
Ballast	1,050 lb (476 kg)
Rudder(s)	internally-mounted spade-type rudder
Rig
Rig type	Bermuda rig
Sails
Sailplan	fractional rigged sloop
Total sail area	338.00 sq ft (31.401 m2)

The Colgate 26 is an American trailerable sailboat that was designed by naval architect Jim Taylor, as a racer and first built in 1996. Steve and Doris Colgate provided the concept and specifications. ^{[1] [2] [3] [4]}

The design was named as Sailing World magazine's Boat of the Year. ^[4]

Production

The design was initially built by Precision Boat Works in Palmetto, Florida, United States, but that company had ended all boat production in 2018. In 2020, Colgate 26 production was moved to Waterline Systems in North Kingstown, Rhode Island. ^{[1] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9]}

Design

The Colgate 26 was originally commissioned by Steve and Doris Colgate for sail training at their Offshore Sailing School. ^{[1] [3]}

The design is a recreational keelboat, built predominantly of solid fiberglass, with wood trim. It has a fractional sloop rig, a raked stem, a walk-through sharply reverse transom, an internally mounted spade-type rudder controlled by a tiller and a fixed fin keel or shoal draft keel with a weighted lead bulb. The fin keel version displaces 2,600 lb (1,179 kg) and carries 1,050 lb (476 kg) of ballast, while the shoal draft keel version displaces 2,800 lb (1,270 kg) and carries 1,250 lb (567 kg) of ballast. ^{[1] [10]}

The boat has a draft of 4.50 ft (1.37 m) with the standard keel and 3.5 ft (1.1 m) with the optional shoal draft keel. ^[1]

The total sail area on boats built prior to 2005 is 283.00 sq ft (26.292 m²) and after that date 338.00 sq ft (31.401 m²). ^[1]

The boat is normally fitted with a small outboard motor for docking and maneuvering. For sailing downwind the design may be equipped with a symmetrical spinnaker. ^[1]

The design has sleeping accommodation for two people, with a double 7.25 ft (2.21 m) "V"-berth in the bow cabin. The galley is equipped with an alcohol-fired stove, portable ice box and an optional sink. The head is a portable type. ^[10]

Operational history

The boat is supported by an active class club that organizes racing events, Colgate 26 Sailboats. ^[11]

Sales of the design were made to the US Coast Guard, US Navy and the Maine Maritime Academy for sailing training and competition. In US Navy service it is called the Navy 26. ^[1]

In a 2002 review for Sail Magazine, John Kretschmer wrote, "the helm is very light, and even when the afternoon sea breeze finally piped up to a 12-to-15-knot range, it was fingertip control on the tiller. The cockpit offers good leg support, and the stainless railing really lends a sense of security when the boat heels. Falling off the wind, the boat accelerated as we gained sea room on a close reach. The boat felt powerful in the water, but completely under control and quite stiff. The purchase on the mainsheet was more than adequate, and as my daughter later proved, the small headsail can be trimmed by child, even in a blow. The gulf was choppy, but the 26 sliced through the waves without pounding. The rubrail tended to deflect spray, keeping the cockpit surprisingly dry. The small [spinnaker] really turbocharged the boat, and we zipped back toward the inlet, occasionally getting up on top of a wave. ... The Colgate 26 is appeals on many levels. It's safe, affordable, easy to maintain and very handsome. However, its nimble and spirited performance is clearly its best feature." ^[10]

See also

• List of sailing boat types

References

1. McArthur, Bruce (2021). "Colgate 26 sailboat". sailboatdata.com. Archived from the original on 10 November 2021. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
2. McArthur, Bruce (2021). "Jim Taylor". sailboatdata.com. Archived from the original on 2 November 2021. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
3. "About the Colgate 26". Sailing World. 2021. Archived from the original on 26 February 2021. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
4. Taylor, Jim. "Precision: Small, Fast, and Fun". tayloryachtdesigns.com. Archived from the original on 10 November 2021. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
5. McArthur, Bruce (2021). "Precision Boat Works". sailboatdata.com. Archived from the original on 13 September 2020. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
6. McArthur, Bruce (2021). "Waterline Systems, LLC". sailboatdata.com. Archived from the original on 19 July 2020. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
7. Precision Boat Works (2020). "Precision Boats Information". precisionboatworks.com. Archived from the original on 12 July 2020. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
8. "Precision Boat Works ceases production". Trade Only Today. 3 August 2018. Archived from the original on 3 August 2018. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
9. Precision Boat Works (2 August 2018). "Precision Boat Works Is Moving" (PDF). Press Release. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2 November 2021. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
10. Kretschmer, John (7 January 2002). "Colgate 26". Sailing Magazine. Archived from the original on 1 October 2020. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
11. McArthur, Bruce (2021). "Colgate 26". sailboatdata.com. Archived from the original on 10 November 2021. Retrieved 10 November 2021.